Disability Rights Tennessee – Nashville, TN

Protecting the Rights of Tennesseans with Disabilities

Disability Rights Tennessee (DRT) is a nonprofit legal services organization that serves as the designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency for the state of Tennessee. Established in 1978, DRT is dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities through legal advocacy, education, and investigation. Unlike a traditional private law firm, DRT operates with a federal mandate to provide free legal services to qualified individuals, focusing on systemic change and the prevention of abuse and neglect. The organization employs a team of skilled attorneys and advocates who work tirelessly to ensure that people with disabilities can live, learn, and work with dignity and independence.

Advocacy and Legal Representation

DRT provides a wide range of services, from information and referral to direct legal representation in complex cases. Their work is categorized into several priority areas, including employment discrimination, education, and community integration. The attorneys at DRT are experts in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act, using these laws to challenge barriers to access and inclusion. They also have the authority to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect in facilities that serve people with disabilities, ensuring that vulnerable individuals are safe and their rights are respected.

Key Areas of Focus

• Employment Advocacy: Assisting individuals who face discrimination in hiring or the workplace due to their disability.
• Education Rights: ensuring students with disabilities receive Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and necessary accommodations.
• Community Inclusion: Fighting for the right of individuals to live in the community rather than in institutions.
• Abuse and Neglect: Investigating reports of harm in schools, group homes, and other care facilities.
• Assistive Technology: Helping individuals obtain the devices and services they need to function independently.

Headquartered in International Plaza near the Nashville International Airport, DRT serves clients in all 95 counties of Tennessee. While they do not handle general criminal or civil matters like divorce or bankruptcy, they are the state’s premier legal resource for disability-related civil rights issues.